2009-10 UEFA Champions League Group F Preview
European Football's Premier Tournament Enters the Group Stages
Sep 17, 2009
UEFA’s 2009-2010 Champions League season is here. The groups have been drawn amongst much fanfare, the matches are set, and the competition to be crowned champions of Europe is ready to begin.
This is a breakdown of the teams in each of the eight groups. Two teams will advance from each group into the quarterfinal knockout stages of the Champions League.
Group F
Dynamo Kiev (Ukraine), Inter Milan (Italy), Rubin Kazan (Russia), Barcelona (Spain)
The soccer gods proved they have a devilish streak about them when Barcelona and Inter Milan were drawn in the same group. Having swapped star strikers over the summer, Eto’o for Ibrahimovic, these two sides are intrinsically linked and their match-up eagerly anticipated. Dynamo Kiev and Rubin Kazan round out Group F, but no one may notice.
F.C. Dynamo Kyiv (Kiev)
The Ukrainian champions have brought back legend Andriy Shevchenko who has not been at form since leaving A.C. Milan for Chelsea following the 2006 season. Sheva will be looking to regain that lethal goal scoring form to help put the Bilo-Syni through to the knock-out stages. He is joined up front by captain Artem Milevskiy. Coach Valeri Gazzaev also brings European experience winning the 2005 UEFA Cup while at the helm of CSKA Moscow. Dynamo could give giants Barca and Inter some trouble at Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium, but a string of injured players may cause them trouble at the onset of the group stages.
F.C. Internazionale Milano
For the Italian champions, two main questions loom. Will Samuel Eto’o be able to replace or improve upon the loss of Zlatan Ibrahimovic? Can manager Jose Mourinho lead Inter to a long awaited third European title? Eto’o is joined at the attack by the prolific Diego Milito and young star Mario Balotelli. The support unit includes Real Madrid castoff Wesley Sneijder and Dejan Stankovic. Brazilian number one Julio Cesar mans the nets with an impressive defensive unit led by captain Javier Zanetti that was strengthened over the summer with the arrival of Lucio. The Nerazzurri should go far in the Champions League, but history indicates that the knock-out stages will cause them trouble.
FC Rubin Kazan
Rubin Kazan were surprise winners of the Russian Premier League and are newcomers to the Champions League. Unfortunately for the Rubies, being drawn versus Barcelona and Inter Milan was not exactly the welcoming party they desired. Gurban Berdiyew’s side may have an uphill fight, but expect a tenacious defense to make visits to Kazan not a walk in the park for their visitors. Still, Rubin’s chances of advancing are extremely slim and edging out Dynamo for a UEFA Europa League birth may be out of the question as well.
F.C. Barcelona
The defending champions return to Champions League play clearly a favorite to repeat their success from the 2009 final versus Manchester United. Zlatan Ibrahimovic has joined Barca replacing Samuel Eto’o and lines up with Argentine superstar Lionel Messi and veteran Thierry Henry to lead a formidable attack. The midfield is strengthened by Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, while the defense is anchored by captain Carles Puyol and Dani Alves. Powerful and poised, Josep Guardiola’s squad is simply intimidating both on paper and on the pitch. Barcelona will have no problem advancing from this group and well into the knock-out stages of the competition.
Prediction
There really is no question that both Barcelona and Internazionale should advance from Group F. The more interesting puzzle to solve is how well Inter can do with Eto’o. Dynamo Kiev will battle Rubin Kazan for the third spot and the right to move onto the Europa League where either team could do well. Ultimately, Jose Mourinho will feel the pressure to bring a European crown back to the San Siro with the blue and black ribbons of Inter tied to the cup instead of the red and black of rivals A.C. Milan. Barcelona, meanwhile, would love to bring a second consecutive title back to Camp Nou by winning the 2010 title on the home pitch of fierce rivals Real Madrid.
Group F Results:
Match Day 1 - September 16, 2009
Other Group Reviews
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